Garlic is an herb in the onion family, grown mostly for its bulbs – the fleshy root of the plant used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Historically, garlic has been touted as a cure for fatigue, parasites, poor digestion, and respiratory ailments, and even such serious illnesses as tuberculosis and smallpox. More recent health claims have garlic as being beneficial in treating heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. It is also known to be an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
Garlic to Relieve Cold and Flu
- Take 200 mg 3 times daily as soon as symptoms appear, and continue taking the supplement until the symptoms are gone. As a preventative, the same dose may be taken daily during cold and flu season.
Why It Works
Garlic is a broad spectrum antibiotic and antibacterial, and contains a number of other useful compounds that can help the immune system fight off illness. Daily use has even been shown to help prevent the onset of colds and flu.
Garlic is generally regarded as safe, but side effects from garlic supplements can include stomach upset, bloating, bad breath, body odor, headache, fatigue and dizziness. Garlic thins the blood, which can increase bleeding during childbirth or surgery. Talk to your doctor before taking garlic if you take blood thinners, protease inhibitors, or antiplatelet medications, because garlic can interfere with these drugs.